Friend broke my GC1710

[airbiscuit]

Fixing that hood properly, isn't going to be a couple hundred dollars.

If you want it to look like it used to, you need to repair both sides, and paint both sides.

A 1/2 pint of red in a quality product is well over $100 by it's self. And, you need a lot more materials than that to do this job.

If you use quality materials, have overhead, and experienced techs, you are below cost, at a couple of hundred dollars.

Yes, there are guys out there with no overhead, and inexperienced workers, who could give you blitz job, throwing some red they have left over on it, with little to no prep, using low end products, leaving the inside rough, for a "cheap" price. When the paint fades, sand scratches start shrinking up, and all starts peeling, or rusts, that's where the difference in the price is.

However, some people would still be perfectly happy that.

That being said, we did occasionally do jobs like this cheap, as good will, if the person who needed it was a regular customer.

That paint on your hood looks to be in rough shape anyway. I doubt if any paint will ever be a perfect match. Tractors are Tools and are meant to be used. Dents and scrapes happen.

I'm thinking that with a decent repair, sanded smooth and primed, and OEM Massey paint, it will look as good as new.

Now if you want a candy apple finish and flames, that's a different matter.

 

[DMW]

You asked about Jacks Small Engines. It's a fairly popular place for mail order for owners not near a MF dealer.
Jacks Small Engines Search

 

[Jaylegger]

Looks like your hood hinge may have detached partially from the hood. Might require a quick weld.

 

[plowhog]

You asked about Jacks Small Engines. It's a fairly popular place for mail order for owners not near a MF dealer.

That is very, very helpful. Thank you DMW.

Regarding condition, I bought it new in late 2015. Always kept inside. The paint is good-to-excellent. If I take it to a body shop I'd rather have an excellent repair for $500 or so than a lousy one for $300. I have a feeling, like most businesses, a body shop would like a little extra business right now. Except I need to meet someone in person to get it done!

As long as I watch the temp gauge, can I run my tractor a bit with no hood? Or might that cause a cooling airflow issue or some other problem?

 

[YLee Kioti]

I'm away from the tractor now, but I was able to download this picture taken the day of the damage.

As a thank you, I gave each person a $100 Amazon gift card and we took them out to a steak dinner. Total about $1,000. If a new hood is $1,000+, it cost me over 2 grand to get about 5 cords of split wood.

Now I'm wondering, as someone suggested, if a body shop could do a reasonable repair? If I could come up with a headlight assembly?

View attachment 649971

Looks like a good place for a pair of shark eyes and then teeth on the lower grill.....like a P-51 Mustang.....

 

[DMW]

As long as I watch the temp gauge, can I run my tractor a bit with no hood? Or might that cause a cooling airflow issue or some other problem?

Only if you let your friend operate it.
Be careful of driving over branches. My hood has a few scuffs where they have come up and rubbed the sides.

 

[k0ua]

That paint on your hood looks to be in rough shape anyway. I doubt if any paint will ever be a perfect match. Tractors are Tools and are meant to be used. Dents and scrapes happen.

I noticed that. it is a long way from a show room finish when it came from the factory. That is why a good experienced Rattle can applicator, with some proper matched paint (dealer usually) would be just fine after the dent is knocked out, filled and sanded. No way I would spend more than $15 on paint and a shot of primer.

 

[k0ua]

That is very, very helpful. Thank you DMW.

Regarding condition, I bought it new in late 2015. Always kept inside. The paint is good-to-excellent. If I take it to a body shop I'd rather have an excellent repair for $500 or so than a lousy one for $300. I have a feeling, like most businesses, a body shop would like a little extra business right now. Except I need to meet someone in person to get it done!

As long as I watch the temp gauge, can I run my tractor a bit with no hood? Or might that cause a cooling airflow issue or some other problem?

I dont think cooling will be an issue. Cover it after use, to keep rain off of it. Should be fine for a while.

 

[ray66v]

I'm thinking that with a decent repair, sanded smooth and primed, and OEM Massey paint, it will look as good as new.

As I said, some people are perfectly fine with a "cheap" repair.

Massey "OEM" paint, is like any "OEM" paint, an authorized aftermarket product, not actual Massey paint, on top of that, they charge you twice what you would pay for the exact same quality product anywhere else. And, without exception it's always low quality air dry enamel.

I would never use industrial enamel, except for implements, old trailers or an older piece of construction equipment. It takes far too long to cure because of the low quality solvents used. And, since it's soluble, it doesn't hold up well under use, or last a long time.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you don't, take up smoking. It's a great place to lay a cigarette so it won't roll away.

That would NOT bang out well.

My old first GF has been calling me lately. She once caused our tractor to drive into our house. Back in the 70s. I had forgotten, but she claims she and her grandmother paid for the damage (quite extensive) to both house and tractor. Insurance said they would pay, and then said not, because it was a non family member who was driving. Technically, no one was on the tractor at the time of impact. Anyway, cancelled insurance and have not had any since. I know finances and attitudes change, but I feel bad that they paid for it. MY stupid fault for letting or maybe even insisting that she drive the tractor. If I could, I would reimburse her.